Higher Forces [Import]

Higher Forces [Import]

Track Listings

1. Higher Forces

2. Seek & Destroy

3. Overemix

4. Rap It Up

5. Real Raw

6. Desert

7. War

8. War Of Words 'Merciles'

9. Skit The Drive

10. Free

11. Cypher Refunk

12. Three

13. Big Sound

14. Ending Force

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
"higher Forces" is the Long Awaited Second Album from Phi-life Cypher and it Does Not Disappoint! 14 Tracks DEEP, the Album Certainly Compensates for their Time Away. Featuring the Unique Lyrical Talents of Stalwart Phi-life Emcees Life and Si-phili, They Are Joined by Guest Emcee Skit Slam - the Perfect Foil for their Highly Charged Skilled Frenetic Wordplay. "Higher Forces" is Produced Almost Solely by the One DJ Nappa. Not Only Does it Retain his Distinct Feel for Reggae, Funk and Hard-hitting Drums but also Shows Signs of his Increasing Exploration Into Other Musical Fields Including Bollywood Sounds and Vocals. Mr Thing, Not Content with Delivering all of the Super-tight Cuts for the Album, also Contributes 'cypher Refunk', a Distinctly Funky and Laid Back Reworking of the Now Classic "Cypher Funk" Track Complimenting the Emcees Perfectly.

Tracks:

In The Full Moon Light
No Doubt
You Gotta Be Real
Give It Up
Lift Me Higher
Echoes Of A Dream
Set Youself Free
She Whispered To Me
I've Got To Know
Smiles All Around
Thru The Shadows

Customer Reviews:

Vital Force: Excellent.......2007-02-16

I bought this particular CD because there was a song on it that I wanted. The song was "In the Full Moonlight". It was great! Actually, the whole CD is wonderful and the group, THIRD FORCE, is wonderful, also, in everything they do.

Best Album Ever.......2007-01-06

This is the only album I have bought that I enjoy ever cut on it. Some times, you buy an album for one song, which is what I did with this album. However, after listening to it from the first time I love all the songs that are offered here. I am 57 and have 100's of albums of music this one will remain my all time favorite. My 11 and 8-year-old daughters love this album also, it spans the generations.

Vitally Fun.......2006-07-18

I totally enjoyed discovering this group! In my opinion this is their best album! A wonderful selection of songs with such catchy and funky melodies. Their intros weren't just, let's jump into the song right away, they were actually intro's with varyied timing and with a progressive tranistion into the song. Great product, great recording and so much fun to listen to. Loved it and highly recommend it to anyone who loves instrumental jazz with a little funkiness to it. Enjoy!

The sum of the parts!.......2006-01-04

This is an invaluable album that denotes the fortunate confluence of several rhythms and tendencies. They were notably inspired with this work that links R&B, Smooth jazz, urban dance, jazz and enriched ethnic sounds. This is its third entry and the result could not be more exciting. Rick Braun in a very moving theme: In the full moon light: No doubt with Jeff Elliot in the commander helmsman. You gotta be real counts with the presence of the renowned Peter White and an suggestive and enigmatic introduction; Echoes of a dream, loaded of Arabian moods and the moving She whispered to me with Craig Chaquico makes of this album one of the best choices you can make in this season. .

An amazing blend of jazz, and New Age :).......2003-02-10

This 1997 opus is a marvelous blend of New Age, Jazz, pop, and some world color to it. Smooth Jazz has a tendency to fall into the generic formula of generic `elevator music' production and relatively bland unmemorable music. Don't misunderstand me, smooth jazz is nice to listen to but I like more but 3rd Forces "Vital Force" though is a shining standout and still holds up so well after all these years in the field of Smooth Jazz.

"In The Full Moon Light" begins the vital journey with an intoxicating Japanese harp intro and becomes a haunting worldly groove featuring stunning Flugel Horn playing by trumpeter Rick Braun. Few songs in the Smooth Jazz genre echo in my memory after so many years but this song absolutely took my breath away back when it was new in 1997 and today in 2003, it ranks as a marvelous and imaginative classic. "No Doubt" is a simpler but more danceable groove with a more upbeat, popish atmosphere that also features Rick Braun but with a muted trumpet. This song is very good and is a great song to play during a midnight backyard party. "You Gotta Be Real" is a dark, & haunting song with a more eerie atmosphere and features a welcome guest appearance from guitarist Peter White. I personally think that White is one of my favorite smooth jazz guitarist and his appearance gives "You Gotta Be Real" a lot of spark. "Give It Up" is a slightly more upbeat track with a slower beat and a sort of big band sound. A great song. "Life Me Higher" is a beautiful breezy song with a cloudier Saturday evening mood and the haunting breeze at the ending is beautiful. One of my favorite songs. "Echoes Of A Dream" is the darkest and the most complex song on the entire album. It starts with a somewhat dark undertone minor or major note fade-in and becomes an Asian colored song with somewhat of an Eastern Indian color to it and it's a very haunting and exotic song that sure stands out on the CD. "Set Yourself Free" brings us back into lighter territory after the darkness of the classic "Echoes" with a much more upbeat, jazzier song and a bluesier sound. "She Whispered To Me" is one of the best songs that 3rd Force have ever composed. It starts off with a haunting ambient intro and becomes an upbeat groove and to add to the beauty of the song itself, it also features Craig Chaquico with the lovely 12-string guitars and they all mesh together to create one of the best songs in Smooth Jazz and the best song on the entire album tied with "In The Full Moon Light". The chord progression is amazing. I love it! "I've Got To Know" is a step down from "Whispered" but is still a great track that kind of reminds me a bit of something from a Paul Hardcastle (Love his music) album. "Smiles All Around" is a much peppier and more upbeat song and is the most up-tempo song on the whole CD. This song gives a feeling of sunshine breaking through the clouds after a refreshing rainstorm. "Thorough The Shadows" brings the vital journey to a close with a refreshing mid-tempo jazz song.

There aren't many remarkable smooth jazz albums that have been made in recent years but "Vital Force" is one of those few. As I said before, smooth jazz is a very good genre IMO, but it suffers from formulaic `elevator music' sounds and "Vital Force" is a pivotal landmark album in modern jazz and is highly recommend for smooth jazz or New Age listeners. I would even go far as to recommend this to those who hate Smooth Jazz.

Average customer rating:

Collective Force/3rd Force

Eh, not so hot.

Sounds for many occasions

Happy Grooves

A Higher elevation in sound...amazing stuff

Collective Force
3rd Force
Manufacturer: Higher Octave
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music
Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | New Age | Styles | Music
Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music
General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Force of Nature

Vital Force

Gentle Force

Driving Force

Force Field

ASIN: B00004S37P
Release Date: 2000-03-30

Tracks:

Dance With Me
Sweet Surrender
Bridge Of Dreams
In The Full Moon Light
You Gotta Be Real
You Know My Heart
Something Special
Coming Home
Listen To Your Heart
Here Comes The Night
Revelation Of The Heart
No Doubt
Give It All You Got
The Gift
Lift Me Higher

Amazon.com

The image of three interlocking triads on this compilation's cover helps illustrate the intent and appeal of 3rd Force. At their best, the group's members--multi-instrumentalists William Aura, Craig Dobbin, and Alain Eskinasi (plus an ever-changing list of guest lead instrumentalists)--cross-pollinate melodic New Age, smart grooves, and understated jazz textures to produce a brand of pop-minded lite jazz that is clever, fluid, and often infectious. Not every track succeeds as memorably as the smart and sassy "In the Full Moon Light" (with Rick Braun on flugelhorn) or the sweetly propulsive "You Gotta Be Real" (Peter White on acoustic guitar), but the 3rd Force formula is, for the most part, consistently attractive. Two new selections (both largely generic) open Collective Force, so if you own all or most of the four albums sampled here, you may not need this collection. Yet for those new to 3rd Force, or anyone inclined toward smooth-jazz with a melodic-pop nexus, Collective Force makes a very tasteful introductory package. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews:

Collective Force/3rd Force.......2007-06-19

This Is A Very Enjoyable CD! On The Laid Back Side & Great For That Sunday Morning Wakeups With The Newspaper And A Cup Of Coffee! Also Great For Those Days When The Mood Is Laid Back, Maybe A Little Retrospective Or Had A Long Workday And Just Need To Unwind With A Glass Of Wine! A Good CD For Backround Music For Casual/Laid Back Dinner Parties!
Purchased From Amazon: Service And Delivery Was Quick...THANKS AMAZON!!!

Eh, not so hot........2006-02-23

I bought this album on the strength of 'Bridge of Dreams.' Although the rest of the album is OK, there is little for me to get excited about. Very little improvisation, sparse almost barren arrangements and canned drums/cheesy cymbal sounds do not trip my trigger at all. Your mileage may vary.

Sounds for many occasions.......2001-08-12

This CD is excellent listening for all occasions ... as dinner party background music, for Sunday-morning-read-the-paper-and-drink-coffee times, for e-pay of bills and other computer activities, and for that calming effect in rush hour traffic. Needless to say, I listen to this CD alot, it is one of the "standards" in my collection, and has been under the Christmas tree for many of my family members and friends.

Happy Grooves.......2001-02-08

I have worked with William Aura, Craig Dobbin and Alain Eskinasi for years on my own stuff, and from actual studio experience I know how they create music and their respective backgrounds. It pains me to read reviews from folks who have zero knowledge of these artists' extensive training and experience. Absent that awareness, a person need only listen to the exquisite, intricate blending of instrument voices and themes in any given song mix to understand the degree of expertise necessary to create the many levels present in their sounds.

I first met William in the mid-1980s in San Diego when he had his hugely popular band called "Heartspace". There was never a dull concert or moment with that group of talented wild men and women. Since then, William has moved at a fantastic pace from his earliest roots in relaxation/new age music into the forefront of lite or smooth jazz grooves. His catalog of music, both old and new is timeless and graceful. Craig is a classically trained musician whose keyboard talents are also utilized in commercials and other ventures apart from this group.

Alain, a native of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, has travelled to Africa and elsewhere to study and experience the cultural influences of native artists with their unique percussive instruments and keyboard styles. He gigs with many well known bands worldwide. This trio of musicians are refreshingly open, untiringly adventurous and have the pleasure of being creative colleagues with other awesome artists like Craig Chaquico, Peter White and LA gig meister Bony James plus many others who often contribute to 3rd Forces' albums.

William is a master at the mixing console and many, like myself, view him as the man with the "golden ears" for his knowledge of sound balance and pitch is that perfect and refined. Collectively, 3rd Force brings together musical imprinting from many cultural influences and exciting people in contemporary music worldwide and one may find these tasty aural treats expressed in each new release.

This album, "Collective Force" represents some of the best tunes from their earlier CDs and certainly those which have stood the test of time on radio airwaves. What is especially meaningful to me, both personally and artistically, is a wonderful freshness in their ever evolving approach to music. When I listen to their albums I am never, ever turned off by vile, abusive lyrics or harsh, meaningless compositions. 3rd Force knows how to keep you uplifted and groovin' with their sounds.

A Higher elevation in sound...amazing stuff.......2000-09-04

3rd Force has a astounding sound and is simply a joy to listen to. The music is mellow and whispy and romantic and surreal. If there aren't a smash success now.............just wait! They will be. I would love to see them live.

Average customer rating:

"SMOOTH & FUNKY ENUFF"
Great jazz group
Great but with two gripes
3rd Force Fantastic!!!! My Boys are back and in full Force!!
The Force Is With You

Driving Force
3rd Force
Manufacturer: Higher Octave
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music
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Vital Force

ASIN: B00074CC6Y
Release Date: 2005-02-01

Tracks:

Believe In Me
Ask Me Why
Real Thing
You Got It
Get With It
An Open Heart
Is She Ready?
Gotta Gotta
This Is The One (Intro)
This Is The One
Inside The Rhythm

Album Description

The long anticipated release of Driving Force, 3rd Force's seventh recording on Higher Octave Music, adds an exhilarating chapter to the multi-faceted, gently exotic groove-oriented instrumental phenomenon that's been a mainstay of the smooth jazz format since the ensemble's self-titled 1994 debut. Featuring performances by Marc Antoine, Eric Darius, Brian Hughes, and Tom Scott, the album marks a bigger in-your-face sound for the band, honoring vintage Motor City funk and the original '70s urban cool.

Customer Reviews:

"SMOOTH & FUNKY ENUFF".......2007-04-13

3rd Force Thanks for staying on the music scene also congradulation if you do have this cd in your collection with great accomplishments and competition for the A/C smooth jazz genre, this is a awesome set of tracks for your driving listening force to another level of musical compositions(belive in me).

Great jazz group.......2006-01-15

I stumbled across 3rd Force while listening to the New Age channel on MSN Radio and I'm glad I did. Driving Force is a great CD when you want some light Jazz music to listen to. It's also a great CD if you want something to play as background at a dinner party. The Rippingtons have always been one of my favorites for easy listening Jazz/New Age and now I'll drop the Driving Force CD in the changer along with The Rippingtons "Weekend in Monaco" and have a great mix.

Great but with two gripes .......2005-06-07

This is DEFINITELY not the usual 3rd Force CD. "Driving Force" has a completely different feel and groove to it. The mellowness of past recordings has been replaced by an updated, contemporary sound. The familiar musical hooks are still there, but they're more in the background. Some bright new ideas are front and center and that's a good thing. The long, languid, and somewhat mind-numbing sleep-inducing long jams are gone. The tracks here are shorter , so there are more of them on this CD. They have a punchier and brighter sound, too. Nice to hear some "Special Guests", too. Especially Tom Scott. (I'm old enough to remember the "L.A. Express." Marc Antoine adds some nice guitar strokes, as well. The CD cover is a radical departure, too. No more leaves, flowers, or sand canyons. "Driving Force" has the band members jumping around in dayglow pink, purple, and yellow. Plus, there's SCRATCHING!!! Whoa! Pretty radical stuff for these guys. Now the two gripes: The first track ("Believe in Me") and the last track ("Inside the Rhythm"") are absolutely RUINED by vocals. This is my biggest pet peeve of New Age and Smooth Jazz recording artists today: Why in the world would you want to screw up your otherwise wonderful work with VOCALS???!!!!!!!! If you want to experiment with your sound, that's fine...but don't add vocals, especially to the first track...because that is what most people base their opinion of your CD on. When I heard vocals come in less than five-seconds into the beginning of this CD, I almost screamed "No!". When I ordered "Driving Force", I also bought the new CD from the Rippingtons. They screwed up their new CD with vocals, too. (See my review of "Wild Card"). I rounded out my order with some new Jeff Lorber and it is an incredible CD...I had forgotten what a great musical talent he is. Oh, and guess what? Lorber's new tunes are without vocals. No singing anywhere...THANK YOU JEFF!!!! So a word of advice to bands like Third Force (AND the Rippingtons): ditch the vocals. They simply don't work.

3rd Force Fantastic!!!! My Boys are back and in full Force!!.......2005-02-24

My Boys are back and in full Force!! Driving Force, this 7th CD from 3rd Force is truly what makes 3rd Force the outstanding band that they are! It is truly a refreshing blend of jazz, R&B grooves, new-age acid jazz, world music, and all the delectable notes and beats and sounds that make 3rd Force such a all-time favorite with me. I've been a true and devoted fan since the first self - titled CD "3rd Force" in 1994! I have all their CD's, and I am so excited for this new long-awaited release! The tracks are super edgy from the first intro of "Believe in Me", to the true chill jam "Inside the Rhythm". I jammed to the songs about 5 times or more back to back, every day since getting it last week and now making new favorites to my collection!!! 3rd Force also has a craft for creating the "intro" track for many of their songs on their CD's! "This is the One" is a TOTAL surprise! It starts out nice and mellow and then gets the party going!! The whole CD is true 3rd Force at their best, but even better with new rhythms that puts a twist on the music and it is so refreshing! The featured artists Tom Scott, Marc Antoine, Brian Hughes, and Eric Darius to name a few, are terrific and greatly enjoyed, and if these artists are your favorites (as with me) you won't be disappointed, but when 3rd Force does their tracks solo, it's like pure magic and supreme chemistry!! Add this CD to your collection, jazz lovers, it's danceable, grooving and worth a spin!! A shout out to all the fans - GET THIS CD!! If you enjoy Brian Culbertson (My Man - love him!!), Praful, Dave Koz, and Marc Antoine, I highly recommend trying out 3rd Force. Also check out all their other CD's as well, Collective Force is AWESOME and has all the best of the best tracks from all of their 5 previous CD's.
Much love to you all at 3rd Force- William, Alain, and Craig, and Xavier and DJ Radius, you've done it again!!! Congrats, and continue to ride the wave!! Peace!

The Force Is With You.......2005-02-15

Do you like your jazz shaken and not stirred or maybe with a twist of lime? Then this is the album for you! I have been a fan of Third Force for ten years and they are definitely my favorite band with their funky, yet velvety music. Driving Force may not be their best album, but it is a nice rebound from Gentle Force which tended to be a bit slow. Once again the band has collaborated with other great musicians to pull off another great album that adds pizazz to my day.

Higher Octave Is . . . Smooth Grooves, Vol. 1

Average customer rating:

Simply fantastic!

Higher Octave Is . . . Smooth Grooves, Vol. 1
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Higher Octave Jazz
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

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General | New Age | Styles | Music

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Higher Octave Is . . . Smooth Grooves, Vol. 2
Higher Octave Is . . . Smooth Grooves, Vol. 3
Higher Octave Is . . . Smooth Grooves, Vol. 4
Smooth Operators: Great Smooth Jazz Moments
Night Grooves, Vol. 1: The Best of Narada Jazz

ASIN: B00000I8UW
Release Date: 1999-03-23

Tracks:

Soul Fruit - Brian Hughes
Soul Temptation - Brian Savage
In The Full Moon Light - 3rd Force
Did I Save? - Grant Geissman
Something Special - 3rd Force
Autumn Blue - Craig Chaquico
Mulholland Drive - Bryan Savage
Elegance On The Catwalk - Jonathan Cain
Rendezvous - Doug Cameron
Bandalero - Neal Schon
Here Comes The Night - 3rd Force

Customer Reviews:

Simply fantastic!.......1999-10-03

To all of you romantic people out there: Buy this CD at once! It's an instrumental CD which makes it so pleasant to listen to whatever your'e doing. And I'm sure that the people that enjoy this one will also appreciate "la Esperanza" which is one of the nicest guitar discs I've ever heard.

Average customer rating:

I'm enamoured by "give It All You got"
Make Spyro Gyra seem like Coltrane
Ya gotta love this Smooth Jazz!
Great Fusion Jazz
Best "mood enhancer" I've heard

Force Field
3rd Force
Manufacturer: Higher Octave
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Vital Force
Force of Nature
Gentle Force
Driving Force
Collective Force

ASIN: B00000I416
Release Date: 1999-02-23

Tracks:

Revelation Of The Heart
Something Special
The Closer You Get
Give It All You Got
Straight Up
Secret Sauce
Bridge Of Dreams
Step Into My Life
7th Heaven
Once In A Lifetime

Customer Reviews:

I'm enamoured by "give It All You got".......2004-08-03

Since I first heard that track Via radio probebly mid `99, knowing niether who Its maker was or what Namely, but vowing to herald It once I at last found out! It has entranced & en_veloped me with meditative, breezy, re-vitalizing essence ... I've basked In Its tranquil Aura , which amazingly Is their founder/producer's last name!

Make Spyro Gyra seem like Coltrane.......2003-04-18

This is a very nice CD, for sure, but does it ever get formulaic fast, the way Spyro Gyra never did.

Each tune starts with a slow feeler to set a tentative mood. Then we're into an underlay of completely uninteresting drums and percussion -- what passes for "funky" now -- soon overlayed by snippets of Andreas Vollenweider-like woodwinds, guitar, and keyboards. These are choked back to the point of asphyxiation so that things never get too interesting. Everything is held at a monotonous "family room" tempo with a break two-thirds through each track so we don't fall asleep.

Sorry, but this is music to discuss what happened at work today by, or read a novel by. Kenny G meets Whitney Houston, without the singing. None of it is memorable.

I still whistle Spyro Gyra licks that have stuck in my brain from 20 years ago. There's nothing wrong with the genre, man. It's just the careful milking of the schtick that gets tiring.

Ya gotta love this Smooth Jazz!.......2001-06-14

This is my first time hearing 3rd Force, but have been listening to smooth jazz for the past 20 years. I have heard this music on 94.7 the wave and didnt know who I was listening to, now that I know, It all makes sense. I absolutely love this stuff. This is the kind of music that just makes you feel good! I would highly recommend this CD if your looking for something to lift your spirits! This is the essence of smooth jazz!!!

Great Fusion Jazz.......2000-11-30

This CD is a great CD to have as background music or for you avid jazz listeners this is where it is at. Force Field combines the sounds of jazz sounds that you would normally hear such as instruments from the brass section, and also has what sounds like an electric acoustic guitar which blends in beautifully to create this masterpiece from 3rd Force. If you enjoy 3rd Force or are looking for more awesome music check out Craig Chaquico, an awesome guitarist that will awe and amaze you. Good luck shopping/browsing.

Best "mood enhancer" I've heard.......2000-04-15

What a great blend of jazz and contemporary sound. This is the type of CD that you put in, let play and then your mood noticeably improves. I never get tired listening to it.

Average customer rating:

Force of Nature review
9 years later and still good!!
A great combination of musical styles
Great to listen to for a stress reliever
Excellent tempos and instramentals

Force of Nature
3rd Force
Manufacturer: Higher Octave
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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Vital Force
Force Field
Gentle Force
Driving Force
Collective Force

ASIN: B000003Z1A
Release Date: 1995-07-11

Tracks:

Forever Yours
Listen To Your Heart
Sundancer
Here Comes The Night (Intro)
Here Comes The Night
Behind Closed Eyes
Force Of Nature
Vital Connection
'Til We Meet Again
3rd Force Party
Coming Home

Album Description

A captivating mix of guitars, keyboards and percussion put this world class trio, led by William Aura, on the charts with the release of their first album. Now, their enthralling second album revs up even higher with a circle of gifted special guests; Grammy-nominee Craig Chaquico, saxophone giant Boney James and chart-topping guitarist Peter White. Includes the beautifully melodic hit, "Here Comes the Night."

Customer Reviews:

Force of Nature review.......2007-03-23

Force of Nature and Vital Force are the first cds I have purchased by 3rd Force after hearing them on a satellite radio contemporary jazz station. Not a bad track on this CD and I am continually amazed at the variety of music on this cd and the addition of Peter White, Rick Braun and Craig Chaquico only add to it. Of the two, Force of Nature blows me away and is a great choice for anyone looking to add some great jazz/new age music to their library, you won't regret it

9 years later and still good!!.......2004-10-08

Recently picked up some old stuff. This CD is refreshing. It is a blend of new age and contemporary jazz sounds. The tunes move you. The guest musicians include Boney James and Craig Chaquico. Most Boney James fans don't know about his early work. Track 2 - Listen to Your Heart features Boney and is my favorite track. The rest is equally good. Find a good price and pick yourself a good bargain.

A great combination of musical styles.......2000-12-16

This is the first 3rd Force CD that I purchased. I didn't know anything about 3rd Force and was surprised at how enjoyable their music is - it was like getting that unexpected and pleasing Christmas gift. It is a blend of smooth jazz and new age styles, that will fit many listening moods. I have since purchased 2 other of their CD's and intend to purchase the most recent.

Great to listen to for a stress reliever.......1999-11-05

These fellows make the greatest smooth jazz to listento.Hope they continue to putout more great CDs.

Excellent tempos and instramentals.......1999-08-17

This music is a great combination of new age and jazz. The fast tempos and varied instrumentals make it pleasure to listen too over and over again. I particularly enjoy listening during massage. It is soothing, but does not put you to sleep.

Higher Octave Is . . . Smooth Grooves, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

Glue It Into Your Car CD Player

Higher Octave Is . . . Smooth Grooves, Vol. 2
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Higher Octave Jazz
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music

Smooth Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Higher Octave Is . . . Smooth Grooves, Vol. 1
Higher Octave Is . . . Smooth Grooves, Vol. 3
Higher Octave Is . . . Smooth Grooves, Vol. 4
Night Grooves, Vol. 1: The Best of Narada Jazz
Smooth Operators: Great Smooth Jazz Moments

ASIN: B00004TWJA
Release Date: 2000-06-27

Tracks:

Shakin' Not Stirred - Brian Hughes
Last Summer - Bryan Savage
Borders - Craig Chaquico
Sweet Surrender - 3rd Force
The Panama Cat - Acoustic Alchemy
Take Five - Dancing Fantasy
Body Language - Jonathan Cain
Revelation Of The Heart - 3rd Force
Highway 1 - Neal Schon
Stay With Me - William Aura
Breathe Again - Doug Cameron
World As One - Grant Geissman

Customer Reviews:

Glue It Into Your Car CD Player.......2000-08-03

I am serious. Jam this CD into your car and don't take it out. I HAVE to drive on I-95 everyday, and I think that I'd give into the constant calling of road rage if it wasn't for this CD. Craig Chaquico, Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, 3RD Force. How can you go wrong. My personal favorite - The Panama Cat by Acoustic Alchemy. I could be stuck behind 2 jack-knifed tractor trailors and not really care.

Do yourself and your fellow drivers a favor - BUY THIS CD.

Average customer rating:

Gentle Force

A Little Too Gentle... ?

They weren't kidding when they named it "Gentle"...

"flowing instrumentation on a musical journey is tranquil"

Gentle Force
3rd Force
Manufacturer: Higher Octave
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | New Age | Styles | Music
Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music
General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Force Field

Force of Nature

Vital Force

Driving Force

Collective Force

ASIN: B0000667QO
Release Date: 2002-05-21

Tracks:

Young Again
I Believe In You
Grateful For Love
Follow Your Dream
Under Your Spell
Ready Or Not
Aquamarine
Hands Across The Ocean
Journey To Now
Straight From The Heart

Amazon.com

Thirty seconds into this CD's first track, "Young Again," a hardcore smooth-jazz fan may think it's either Sade, Acoustic Alchemy, Tom Scott, or 3rd Force, and be right three out of four. Eight years ago 3rd Force defined their sound, built around overdubbed reeds and textured keyboards, and then flavored their discs with well-known distinctive smooth-jazz stylists. Their fifth album follows the same path, but leader William Aura's relentless search for new grooves may have broken some new ground with these 10 songs, and newcomer vocalist Rebecca Carlish (heavily influenced by Sade) is ingeniously used on different tracks here via wordless vocals or short bursts of lyrics. On the steamy and sexy "Grateful for Your Love," sax man Jimmy Sommers and guitarist Grant Geissman are intertwined with Carlish without losing the sound of the Force. The contribution of Carlish, if only to hear a fresh take on Sade's style, will make this a must for smooth-jazz lovers, but it's the fresh rhythms, haunting melodies, and sparkling, symbiotic pairings, like guitarists Craig Chaquico and Brian Hughes, that will place it on best-of lists at year's end. --Mark Ruffin

Customer Reviews:

Gentle Force.......2004-02-06

Too gentle? Should have listened to the sample tracks before committing. Too bad too sad. Are all artists to remain the same with their compositions? The fact that 3rd Force remains committed to constant change is what makes them so outstanding!My opinion? This CD is a true mix of their original roots to where they have progressed to. The "Journey to Now" is the culmination - to this point. So cool that a group isn't afraid of committing to the Truth. Every being ever born and ever will be born is on this Journey. Love is all there Is!

Aloha

A Little Too Gentle... ?.......2003-06-22

Maybe I picked the wrong day to play this CD but these 10 down tempo tracks from one of my favorite groups just didn't do it for me. Don't get me wrong, they sound beautiful, at times even exotic, but I like my 3rd Force with just a little more energy. Actually, I don't even think it's only about that. It's the fact the album doesn't change its mood. It just seems to get slower and slower, passing gentle and easing into tired. I might put it on another day and say, "Hey, how peaceful", or something but for today --- Yawn.

They weren't kidding when they named it "Gentle"..........2002-09-14

This truly is 3rd Force's most "gentle" album up to now. Although somewhat eclectic at times ("Journey to Now", for example), this album is quite pleasing. There are instances where I forget I'm listening to a 3rd Force CD, but the trumpet/piano chords bring me back to 3rd Force's usual masse with frequency. I find the change in their music progressive, innovative, and probably good for the future of the band. It's nice to hear Jimmy Sommers working with 3rd Force for a change (verses his recent efforts to sound hip with Genuine and Coolio... What gives, Jimmy???). As usual, you can expect a lot of tracks with Brian Hughes, which on previous albums I found repetetive and somewhat monotonous. However, Hughes' presence on "Gentle Force" is somewhat subdued and melancholy; a pleasant change for Brian. This is by far the most mellow of their albums. If you want a fun ride, try "Force Field."

"flowing instrumentation on a musical journey is tranquil".......2002-05-24

Higher Octave casts a spell with their opening track "YOUNG AGAIN", featuring Tom Scott (sax), Greg Carmichael (nylon guitar), Grant Geissman (electric guitar/sitar), Mile Gilderdale (of Acoustic Alchemy on guitar) and Rebecca Carlish ~ dish out smooth portions of creamy textured genre with hints of sensual spices.

This their sixth release ~ "Gentle Force", combines three talented musicians William
Aura(keyboard/bass/vox percussion), Craig Dobbin(piano/keboard/orchestral arrangements)
and Alain Eskinasi(keyboard/percussion/bass guitar) plus all three slip in a pinch of "Groove".

Special guests make their appearances known Greg Carmichael(guitar)~Craig
Chaquico(guitar)~Grant Giessman(guitar)~Brian Hughes(nylon guitar)~John O'Connor(slide guitar)~Bryan Savage(sax)~Tom Scott(sax)~Jimmy Sommers(sax), adding their reflective feelings within each distinctive style.

One cue stands above the rest ~ "JOURNEY TO NOW", captures the theme of Arabian Nights, haunting vibes flow endlessly through the night air giving you peace from within, but the highlight has to be "GRATEFUL FOR LOVE", with 3rd Force newest addition Rebecca Carlish on vocal is extra smooth, not to mention a soulful cry of inner feelings from Jimmy Sommers on a floating melodic sax.

Less we not forget other musicians that left their mark on this CD ~ Mitch Manker(flugel horn)~Richard Hardy(flute)~Gerlando Compilati(congas)~David Thomas(additional keyboard)~Douglas Spotted Eagle(native flute) ~ each incorporating ethnic tones that give this release a special place in our ever growing collection.

Would put this right up there with 3rd Force fourth album "Force Field"(1999) ~ if you enjoyed this, why not sample "Collective Force"(2000), also from Higher Octave and 3rd Force, both albums are certainly worthy of a good listen, gotta love it!

Total Time: 58:19 on 10 Tracks ~ Higher Octave HOMCD-12087 ~ (2002)

Higher Octave Is . . . Smooth Grooves, Vol. 4
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Higher Octave Is . . . Smooth Grooves, Vol. 4
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Higher Octave Jazz
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Night Grooves 2

ASIN: B0000CDL5S
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Tracks:

Luminosa - Craig Chaquico
Dimelo Siempre - Cooly's Hot-Box
(Don't You Wanna) JAM - Tom Scott
Two Cool - Bryan Savage
No Doubt - 3rd Force
Temperature Rising - Les Nubians (Gabriel Rene Edit)
Shot Clock - Four80East
Om Namah Shivaya - Yulara (Instrumental)
Love Comes My Way - Sacred Spirit
Venus Morena - Acoustic Alchemy
What Am I Gonna Do - Jimmy Sommers (DJ Spinna Mix)

Guitarisma 2: The Charisma, Mystique and Pure Expression of the Guitar

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Worth buying, could be even better.

Guitarisma 2: The Charisma, Mystique and Pure Expression of the Guitar
Various Artists , 3rd Force featuring Craig Chaquico , Brian Hughes , Buckethead , Craig Chaquico , Douglas Spotted Eagle & Daryl Stuermer , Grant Geissman , Lara & Reyes , Neal Schon , and Shahin & Sepehr
Manufacturer: Higher Octave
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000009DED
Release Date: 1998-07-28

Tracks:

Trade Winds - Craig Chaquico
Noches De San Miguel - Lara & Reyes
While The World Slowly Turns - Brian Hughes
Big Sur Moon - Buckethead
Thru The Trees/Cloudless Sky - Ottmar Liebert
Ode To A Friend (For Firouzeh) - Shahin & Sepehr
Did I Save? - Grant Geissman
Wishing Well - Buckethead
She Whispered To Me - 3rd Force
FireDance - Douglas Spotted Eagle
Midnight Express - Neal Schon
Letters From Vienna - Shahin & Sepehr

Customer Reviews:

Worth buying, could be even better........2000-01-25

This song is a real mix of styles and sounds. Most of the songs are okay...worth listening to, but nothing superb. With the exception of FireDance. This song alone brings this CD up to 4 stars. With the superb guitar playing of Daryl Stuermer (from Genesis) and the delightful flute playing of Douglas Spotted Eagle, this song stands above the rest and makes the CD worth the price. It has a wonderful Native American feel with a fair amount of rock mixed in. Superb.

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